Olympus PEN E-P3 announced

The Olympus PEN E-P3, or simply ‘PEN', has the fastest autofocus of any interchangeable lens camera. With world-beating FAST AF (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology), metal-bodied design and touch-sensitive OLED display, the PEN E-P3 could be a genuine alternative to a DSLR system.

The Olympus E-P3's TruePic VI image engine is designed especially for mirrorless cameras. In addition to the new FAST AF, TruePic VI serves as the motor for 10 Art Filter special effects. In combination with a faster and more sensitive 12.3 Megapixel sensor, TruePic VI ensures outstanding picture quality with sensitivity now up to ISO 12,800.

For more experienced users, the PEN E-P3 has two dials on the back for making quick manual adjustments to exposure, plus the camera's in-body image stabilisation counteracts camera shake irrespective of the attached lens.

The Olympus PEN E-P3 with its 14-42mm lens kit will be available from August priced £799.

Watch our hands-on preview of the new Olympus Pens:

Olympus PEN E-P3 features at a glance:

Olympus E-P3 Image Quality
:

• Powerful TruePic VI image engine for faster recovery time and excellent image quality

• Ultra-effective in-body image stabilisation for blur-free movies and stills with any lens

• 12.3 effective Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor for excellent low-light performance and Full HD movie recording

• ISO 12800 sensitivity

• 1080i 60fps Full HD stereo movie recording as AVCHD or Motion JPEG

• Compatible with the new generation of dedicated PEN lenses

Olympus E-P3: Convenience

• World's quickest FAST AF for cameras with interchangeable lenses, always on, with 35 AF points, low-light AF Illuminator and out-of-picture AF Tracking

• Super-bright, wide-angle, touch-sensitive 3in OLED display with 610k-dot resolution for photo-quality colour reproduction

• Separate dials for quick manual adjustment of aperture and exposure

• Touch-sensitive Live Guide in HD Movie, still and P/S/M/A mode

• Live View in HD Movie and still mode

• Three customisable buttons

• Level gauge for at-a-glance appreciation of position relative to horizon

• Easy-to-use Live Wheel feature menu

Olympus E-P3: Creativity & Flexibility

• 10 creative Art Filters in HD Movie and still modes

• Five effects that can be combine with Art Filters: Pinhole, Soft Focus, Frame Effect, plus new Starlight and White Edge

• Accessory Port 2 for compatibility with the growing family of PEN accessories, e.g., the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder and PENPAL Communication Unit

• Compatible with 20 Micro Four Thirds, 27 Four Thirds and more than 500 other lenses (via an adapter)

• 1/4000th sec. shutter speed with 3fps sequential shooting

• Multi Exposure mode for 2 RAW images

• Long-life BLS-5 Li-ion battery

Olympus E-P3: Other highlights

• Timeless PEN design with interchangeable, removable grip in two sizes

• 3D still photos

• SDXC card and Eye-Fi compatible

• Wireless flash control